University Day at the mall

Mariah Miller, 6, and Noah Patton, 9, of Bainbridge, read an AR Magic Book at the Binghamton University Libraries Table during Binghamton University Day at the Oakdale Mall on Feb. 21. The book is a projection that moves as the blank pages of the book move. More than 30 displays highlighted the University’s research activities, academic offerings and admissions information. Photo by Jonathan Cohen

News Briefs

Binghamton University will host the 2015 America East Women's Basketball Championship for the second time in conference history Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, at the Events Center. All-session packages are on sale now! The all-session package includes three sessions, totaling six games (four quarterfinals and two semifinals). Order all-session packages online or by calling 607-777-BTIX (2849) or visiting the Events Center Box Office. The tournament bracket will be determined after the final regular season games on Sunday, March 1. Individual session tickets will go on sale Monday, March 2.

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Donald Nieman has appointed Krishnaswami “Hari” Srihari to succeed Vice Provost for International Affairs Katharine Krebs when she retires at the end of May. Srihari will assume the title of executive vice provost for international initiatives and chief global affairs officer and will remain dean of the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science as well as director of the Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE).

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will move from the Division of Student Affairs into the Division of Academic Affairs as part of Srihari’s portfolio, which also includes the Office of International Programs (OIP).

While part of the Division of Student Affairs and under the leadership of Assistant Vice President for Student Life Elizabeth Carter, ISSS director Patricia Marrapese and her team have done excellent work, said Nieman, and together with OIP they play a critical role in the University’s success. “Both OIP and ISSS are high-performing and responsive organizations and by bringing them together we will enhance the synergy between them and have better integration with our schools.

“The goal is to create a fully integrated approach to global affairs to enable us to be more effective in recruiting the best international students – graduate as well as undergraduate – and do our best to help them be successful at Binghamton and become loyal alumni and global ambassadors for Binghamton University,” said Nieman.

“Hari is the perfect person to take on this responsibility because he has vast experience and a record of success in international recruitment and education, as recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities which honored him with the Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award,” said Nieman. “As a successful dean and distinguished professor of systems science and industrial engineering, he also has high credibility with deans and faculty.”

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead Binghamton University’s international efforts across campus,” said Srihari. “As Binghamton moves toward becoming the premier public university of the 21st century, it is critical for us to become a truly globalized campus. I am looking forward to joining the team of the Office of International Programs and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, learning more about the excellent work they are doing, and helping them to continue to succeed in their efforts.

“This will also be a wonderful opportunity to work with my colleagues in schools and offices across campus to help support and facilitate their efforts in this space,” he added. “Obtaining a global perspective is critical for our students and I am delighted to become part of this endeavor and to ensure our students get the best education possible.”

Wolfgang Paul Kappe, 84, professor emeritus of mathematics, died Friday, February 20, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Luise-Charlotte, sons Bernhard and Dietrich, their spouses and two granddaughters.

He completed Abitur in 1947 and enrolled at the Technische Universität in West Berlin then at the Humboldt Universität in East Berlin, where he pursued studies in mathematics. In 1959, he enrolled at the Universität Frankfurt and relocated to the Mathematical Research Institute at Oberwolfach as administrator, completing his doctorate in 1961. He and his wife emigrated to the U.S. in 1963. In 1968, they moved to Vestal, to join the mathematics faculty at Binghamton, where they were instrumental in developing the PhD program and where Wolfgang served as graduate director for many years.

An algebraist working in group theory, with major contributions to this area, Kappe retired in 2000, but kept contact with the department by attending the algebra seminar on a regular basis.

Funeral services will be private. His family will welcome friends and family to a celebration of his life, date and time to be announced shortly. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902–6000.

Attention all faculty/staff members: If convenience, delicious and healthy food and 10 cents on every dollar sounds good to you, then you’re going to want to purchase a flexible dining plan and taste the sweet rewards. By purchasing this plan or adding $25 or more to your existing plan, you’ll receive this fantastic coupon sheet full of good deals, which are available throughout campus!

For more information about this dining plan, go online, call 607-777-6000 or visit our meal plan office in UU-0002.

You can always stay informed of all things Dining Services by going online.

The Harpur Chorale, conducted by Peter Browne, and the Women’s Chorus, conducted by Bruce Borton, will perform “Choral Treasures of the British Isles” with accompanists William James Lawson and Natasha Talukdar at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in the AC-Chamber Hall. The program will feature madrigals, folk songs and sacred works from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Tickets are $7, general public; $5, faculty, staff, seniors or alumni; and free for students and are available at the Anderson Center Box Office from noon-5:30 p.m. weekdays, by calling 607-777-ARTS, online or at the door. For more information, contact the Music Department at 607-777-2592 or become a fan on Facebook.

Effective January 5, 2015, the U.S. Department of State issued a new rule concerning the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, which brings hundreds of visiting international professors, researchers and other types of short-term scholars to Binghamton University every year.

University departments must now determine that prospective exchange visitors possess “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis." [22 CFR 62.11(a)(2)]

The new rule requires the sponsoring department to use one of the following objective measures of language proficiency:
• A recognized English language test (e.g. TOEFL; IESLT; PTE Academic; etc.);
• Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school; or
• A documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by video conferencing, or by telephone if video conferencing is not a viable option.

Finally, sponsors are required to retain evidence of how they measured the applicants’ English language proficiency so that it may be made available to the U.S. Department of State upon request.

To facilitate compliance and ensure that evidence of English proficiency is centrally retained, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has modified the J-1 DS-2019 Request process, adding a form to verify how English proficiency was determined.

Detailed instructions and access to the updated documents can be found on the ISSS website. Contact the ISSS via e-mail or at 607-777-2510 for assistance with these matters and with any questions you may have concerning issues affecting international exchange visitors.

Binghamton University Athletics will host the Fourth Annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser and head-shaving event from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the EC-concourse. This year’s goal is to raise $10,000 for childhood cancer research. If you are interested in participating or making a donation, go online.

Binghamton Crew is providing the opportunity to hire a rower to take care of your household chores and projects. Services include, but are not limited to, painting, snow shoveling and heavy lifting. Rate: $12.50 per hour, per rower.

Individual counseling sessions are available with an experienced TIAA-CREF financial consultant at no additional cost to you. Consultants are available to discuss how to help you pursue your financial goals. Appointments are available March 19, 24 and 31. To schedule an appointment call 800-732-8353.

Associate Professor of Social Work Victoria Rizzo is a master griller, a loving grandmother and a researcher passionate about the impact of social work interventions on older adults. Get to know more about her in our new series, Beyond the Classroom.